The day before yesterday while I was riding home from work my bike started sputtering and then stalled when I was stopped at a red light. After about two seconds I realized I was probably low on fuel so I switched over to my reserve. No biggie, I was actually pretty excited that I figured it out so quickly.
This morning I wanted to ride to work, but I wasn't really sure how far I could go on reserve. I looked in my owner's manual to see if it said, but I couldn't find anything about it. So, I knew I should just go get gas. Now for the crazy part. I've had my bike for 5 months and I've never put gas in it by myself. Sounds stupid, but every time I've gotten gas Dave has been with me, and being the gentleman that he is, he always pumped the gas for me.
Since Dave was at work, and I really wanted to ride, I figured today was a good day to grow up and pump my own gas. I rode over to the gas station, and thankfully it wasn't busy. I pulled right up and put some fuel in my baby. It really isn't a big deal, I know, but I was worried I would end up spilling gas all over the place. I didn't, not one single drop.
Since I made the gas detour I had to take a different route to work, which is always exciting. I was driving past the police station which has parking stalls in front, and I see this big black SUV with her reverse lights on, and she starts backing out right as I'm getting next to her bumper. In one movement, I honked my horn and swerved to avoid her. As I pull by she looks at me like she can't figure out why I'm honking at her. I just shake my head and ride away. Normally I would've saluted her and cursed loud enough for her to get my point. But today it just didn't seem important. She didn't see me, I was able to avoid her, and it was all good.
I have been riding to work every day and I'm so happy. I almost feel guilty because I actually live close enough that I could walk, but I'd rather ride my bike. Besides, I walk enough at work. When I ride to work, I get there feeling happy and accomplished. It's just the perfect way to start and finish the work day.
Anyways, that's all. I just wanted to share my little accomplishment of the day. I hope that all of you who are able to ride these days are enjoying it as much as I am, and for those of you who can't ride right now, I hope you are all enjoying the other pleasures in your life.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It Just Isn't Gonna Happen
I came to a sad realization today. As much as I have tried to stay in denial about the situation, it is time to face the cold hard facts........Dave & I will not be able to go to Sturgis this year.
I'm really bummed, but there is just no way it will work out. We can't afford it plain and simple. Besides the expenses of the trip, neither of us get paid vacations, so to take off for two weeks and not get paid would just put us in an even worse position than we are in now.
Dave just read this over my shoulder and said, "There's still hope, don't give up on the dream! You can't post this yet!"
Sorry babe, unless we win the lotto, this year is out! :(
I'm really bummed, but there is just no way it will work out. We can't afford it plain and simple. Besides the expenses of the trip, neither of us get paid vacations, so to take off for two weeks and not get paid would just put us in an even worse position than we are in now.
Dave just read this over my shoulder and said, "There's still hope, don't give up on the dream! You can't post this yet!"
Sorry babe, unless we win the lotto, this year is out! :(
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My (kindof) New Job
Yesterday I started a new job, that is actually kind of an old job. Some of you may remember that I mentioned one of my old bosses sent me an email asking if I would like to come back to work for her. She owns a restaurant/brewery that she and her husband opened up about seven years ago. I started with them on day one when they opened.
I started out as a server, and I loved it! After a little while of serving they promoted me to a management position and entrusted me with their 'baby' while they would go on vacations or just take much needed time off.
I worked there for about four years and then finally made the decision to leave. The only reason I left was because I was working a lot of nights and weekends and it was getting too hard on me being away from Riley. I felt terribly guilty that he would go to school all day and then daycare at night. So I left and pursued other avenues that until recently made me very happy.
My new position with them is a server/management position, but it is a little bit different than what I was doing before. It is only four days a week, no nights, and no weekends. I will be waiting tables, which I love! I love being able to meet and mingle with the customers, and I've always made good money doing it. In addition I will be supervising the other servers, doing scheduling, and I will be the contact person for anyone who has complaints, questions, or needs to set up banquets (which we do quite a bit of). The really cool thing is that I will get paid a higher hourly rate to do the extra duties, but I still get tips from waiting. So even though it's only four days a week I will be making more than I was at my previous job. There aren't benefits, but sometimes you can't have it all.
I'm very excited about it all, and it felt so good to be back there. Oh, and one more thing......it isn't very far from my house, so I will be riding to work everyday that I can!
I started out as a server, and I loved it! After a little while of serving they promoted me to a management position and entrusted me with their 'baby' while they would go on vacations or just take much needed time off.
I worked there for about four years and then finally made the decision to leave. The only reason I left was because I was working a lot of nights and weekends and it was getting too hard on me being away from Riley. I felt terribly guilty that he would go to school all day and then daycare at night. So I left and pursued other avenues that until recently made me very happy.
My new position with them is a server/management position, but it is a little bit different than what I was doing before. It is only four days a week, no nights, and no weekends. I will be waiting tables, which I love! I love being able to meet and mingle with the customers, and I've always made good money doing it. In addition I will be supervising the other servers, doing scheduling, and I will be the contact person for anyone who has complaints, questions, or needs to set up banquets (which we do quite a bit of). The really cool thing is that I will get paid a higher hourly rate to do the extra duties, but I still get tips from waiting. So even though it's only four days a week I will be making more than I was at my previous job. There aren't benefits, but sometimes you can't have it all.
I'm very excited about it all, and it felt so good to be back there. Oh, and one more thing......it isn't very far from my house, so I will be riding to work everyday that I can!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday Ride With Biker Chick
*Disclaimer* If this seems rushed and confused, it's because I had to hurry and get this post up because some dumb bastard already put up a link sending people over here!
For those of you who read Biker Chickz Blog you probably know that she recently moved to Santa Cruz. What you may or may not know is that she now lives less than an hour from Me, Dave, Willy D. and Carol.
We have all been anxious to meet up and Saturday was finally the day. Becky wanted to check out Dave's shop so she said she would ride down and meet us here and then we could figure out the rest of the day.
Meeting Becky was like reconnecting with a friend who you haven't seen for awhile. She fit right in with our crazy crew. And for somebody to fit in right away with Dave and Willy D. could be considered a miracle!
We had some coffee and talked for a bit before hitting the road for a great ride on a perfect day.
We rode through Monterey into Pacific Grove. We stopped at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove and watched the waves hit the rocks. We hung out there until it got too hot (Sorry my snow struck friends). Then we continued along the road right next to the ocean. It was so beautiful! I love the smell of the ocean, and it smelt especially sweet that day.
After riding for a little while longer we stopped for lunch at McDonald's, and then headed back into Salinas to Dave's shop. We visited for a little bit and then decided that we would ride with Becky part of the way back up to Santa Cruz. Well....that was the plan, but Dave kept going all the way to Santa Cruz. I'm not complaining, it was great. I had a new experience on the highway with traffic stopping in front of us.......I didn't freak out too much. When we turned off at Becky's exit she went her way home and we turned around and headed home. I got to ride in the dark for a bit, wh
ich of course I loved!
ich of course I loved!
It was a great day. I enjoyed getting to meet Becky and look forward to more rides together. Also it was the most comfortable I've felt riding overall. It's feeling more natural now and I just enjoy it more and more every time I ride.
Oh, and if you're wondering why there aren't any pics of Dave, it's funny, somehow when he gave me the pictures off his camera the ones I took of him were conveniently missing. But I'm sure Becky got some!
Friday, January 16, 2009
And Here It Is 76-101
76. I love riding at night.
77. I'm not supposed to ride at night with my permit.
78. I don't do it often, or go far, but I love it.
79. My bike is dirty right now.
80. I'm going to clean her tomorrow.
81. When I see or talk to my ex-husband, I wonder why I ever married him in the first place.
82. But, I'm glad that I did, because I have Riley.
83. I don't regret getting divorced.
84. I do regret giving him back all my jewelry.
85. I can't stand Jenny McCarthy.
86. But some people say that I sometimes act like her.
87. And for some reason it bugs me that Dave thinks she's hot.
88. I love to color.
89. Especially in Barbie coloring books.
90. But I never color their hair blond, it's always brown or red, or a funky mixture of colors.
91. My Grandma collected Barbie dolls, and is handing them all down to me.
92. I bought a lot of them for her.
93. She already sent me some, including the original Ken, in the box, in perfect condition.
94. She has the original Barbie, but said she's holding onto that one until she dies.
95. My Gram is 84 and acts like she just turned 21.
96. She is one of my favorite people in the world.
97. I know it will be hard on me when she dies.
98. But I think she just might outlive us all.
99. This last list is coming to me faster than the previous ones.
100. Meeting Dave was one of the best things to ever happen to me in my life.
AND........
101. Even after all this stuff I've shared, there are still things that the world will never know about me. (Insert mysterious and sinister laughter here.)
77. I'm not supposed to ride at night with my permit.
78. I don't do it often, or go far, but I love it.
79. My bike is dirty right now.
80. I'm going to clean her tomorrow.
81. When I see or talk to my ex-husband, I wonder why I ever married him in the first place.
82. But, I'm glad that I did, because I have Riley.
83. I don't regret getting divorced.
84. I do regret giving him back all my jewelry.
85. I can't stand Jenny McCarthy.
86. But some people say that I sometimes act like her.
87. And for some reason it bugs me that Dave thinks she's hot.
88. I love to color.
89. Especially in Barbie coloring books.
90. But I never color their hair blond, it's always brown or red, or a funky mixture of colors.
91. My Grandma collected Barbie dolls, and is handing them all down to me.
92. I bought a lot of them for her.
93. She already sent me some, including the original Ken, in the box, in perfect condition.
94. She has the original Barbie, but said she's holding onto that one until she dies.
95. My Gram is 84 and acts like she just turned 21.
96. She is one of my favorite people in the world.
97. I know it will be hard on me when she dies.
98. But I think she just might outlive us all.
99. This last list is coming to me faster than the previous ones.
100. Meeting Dave was one of the best things to ever happen to me in my life.
AND........
101. Even after all this stuff I've shared, there are still things that the world will never know about me. (Insert mysterious and sinister laughter here.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Things About Me 51-75
51. I laugh every time I watch the video of my first ride.
52. There was a time I thought I wouldn't make a good mother.
53. Now I think I'm a great mom.
54. I used to sell Mary Kay cosmetics.
55. I wasn't very good at it.
56. I was stood up for my Senior Prom.
57. 17 years later and I'm still bitter about it.
58. My favorite ice cream is Jamocia Almond Fudge.
59. I have two tattoos.
60. I would like to add on to one of them.
61. I had almost no discipline growing up.
62. I don't think I would've got in so much trouble if I did.
63. I got an email from an old boss asking if I want to come back to work at her restaurant.
64. I think I'm going to do it.
65. I loved working there.
66. I really want to go to Sturgis.
67. I'm not sure if it will happen.
68. I hope someday I can have a real relationship with Dave's children.
69. I wish my little brother would stop having kids.
70. He just turned 27 and he has 5 (two aren't biological).
71. Sometimes I have a hard time helping Riley with his 4th grade math.
72. I'm not dumb, they just don't do anything the same way.
73. Some of the stuff he's learning, I didn't learn until my college math classes.
74. I got a fake ID when I was 18.
75. I used it to go EVERYWHERE!
52. There was a time I thought I wouldn't make a good mother.
53. Now I think I'm a great mom.
54. I used to sell Mary Kay cosmetics.
55. I wasn't very good at it.
56. I was stood up for my Senior Prom.
57. 17 years later and I'm still bitter about it.
58. My favorite ice cream is Jamocia Almond Fudge.
59. I have two tattoos.
60. I would like to add on to one of them.
61. I had almost no discipline growing up.
62. I don't think I would've got in so much trouble if I did.
63. I got an email from an old boss asking if I want to come back to work at her restaurant.
64. I think I'm going to do it.
65. I loved working there.
66. I really want to go to Sturgis.
67. I'm not sure if it will happen.
68. I hope someday I can have a real relationship with Dave's children.
69. I wish my little brother would stop having kids.
70. He just turned 27 and he has 5 (two aren't biological).
71. Sometimes I have a hard time helping Riley with his 4th grade math.
72. I'm not dumb, they just don't do anything the same way.
73. Some of the stuff he's learning, I didn't learn until my college math classes.
74. I got a fake ID when I was 18.
75. I used it to go EVERYWHERE!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Things You Don't Know About Me 26-50
26. I'm afraid of the dark.
27. I don't like to shop.
28. I don't like to cook.
29. I love brussel sprouts.
30. I don't like seafood.
31. I could live on pasta, three meals a day, 365 days a year.
32. I gained 50 pounds when I was pregnant.
33. It took me three years and a divorce to lose all that weight.
34. I want to cut my hair short again, but Dave hates it when it's short.
35. I care enough about what Dave thinks to not just do it anyway.
36. I love video and computer games.
37. I'm totally addicted to The Sims computer game.
38. I never wanted to go to college until I turned 30.
39. After my first day of college I cried all the way home.
40. My maternal grandmother died of lung and brain cancer.
41. My paternal grandfather died of emphysema.
42. Neither of those things have given me motivation to quit smoking.
43. Febreeze makes me break out in hives.
44. I got chicken pox twice.
45. I still have my tonsills.
46. I snore like a man. (at least that's what I'm told.)
47. After I had my son I had a catheter for over a month because I couldn't pee.
48. In junior high I kissed a boy that my best friend liked.
49. I can be a big dork.
50. I can be an even bigger bitch.
27. I don't like to shop.
28. I don't like to cook.
29. I love brussel sprouts.
30. I don't like seafood.
31. I could live on pasta, three meals a day, 365 days a year.
32. I gained 50 pounds when I was pregnant.
33. It took me three years and a divorce to lose all that weight.
34. I want to cut my hair short again, but Dave hates it when it's short.
35. I care enough about what Dave thinks to not just do it anyway.
36. I love video and computer games.
37. I'm totally addicted to The Sims computer game.
38. I never wanted to go to college until I turned 30.
39. After my first day of college I cried all the way home.
40. My maternal grandmother died of lung and brain cancer.
41. My paternal grandfather died of emphysema.
42. Neither of those things have given me motivation to quit smoking.
43. Febreeze makes me break out in hives.
44. I got chicken pox twice.
45. I still have my tonsills.
46. I snore like a man. (at least that's what I'm told.)
47. After I had my son I had a catheter for over a month because I couldn't pee.
48. In junior high I kissed a boy that my best friend liked.
49. I can be a big dork.
50. I can be an even bigger bitch.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Just call me a copycat!
Okay, so this isn't my original idea, but I thought it was fun. Connie and Ann both have posts up about 101 Things you don't know about them. So hopefully they won't mind, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon.
Here's my 1-25:
1. Every time I get a headache I'm sure that I have a brain aneurysm and I'm dying.
2. I'm a beauty school dropout.
3. I believe in fairytale endings.
4. Everyone in my family calls me "Boo Boo".
5. My favorite color is green.
6. When my son was a baby I actually liked picking the buggers out of his nose.
7. My first car was a black 69 Volkswagen bug.
8. I once killed my bosses cat by accidentally fumigating the house while the cat was in it. :(
9. I've been engaged three times.
10. I've been married once.
11. I got married in a hotel chapel in Reno.
12. I've been arrested twice. (I was young.)
13. I've never gotten a speeding ticket, or been pulled over for speeding.
14. I moved out on my own when I was 17.
15. When I was 18 I moved from Utah to New York to be a nanny.
16. I have extreme road rage, but only when in my car, not on the bike.
17. I teach Sunday School at my church.
18. I am a reality show addict.
19. When I was in third grade I told my best friend that I was adopted, she believed me until we were 13.
20. I really had wished at the time that it was true.
21. I trained for a marathon, but ended up not participating.
22. I always wished that I had blue eyes.
23. In high school I used to wear my pants so tight that I would have to lie down on the bed and use a hanger to zip them up.
24. My hair was so big in 9th grade that it didn't fit in my school picture.
25. I love Shirley Temple, the person, not the drink.
Here's my 1-25:
1. Every time I get a headache I'm sure that I have a brain aneurysm and I'm dying.
2. I'm a beauty school dropout.
3. I believe in fairytale endings.
4. Everyone in my family calls me "Boo Boo".
5. My favorite color is green.
6. When my son was a baby I actually liked picking the buggers out of his nose.
7. My first car was a black 69 Volkswagen bug.
8. I once killed my bosses cat by accidentally fumigating the house while the cat was in it. :(
9. I've been engaged three times.
10. I've been married once.
11. I got married in a hotel chapel in Reno.
12. I've been arrested twice. (I was young.)
13. I've never gotten a speeding ticket, or been pulled over for speeding.
14. I moved out on my own when I was 17.
15. When I was 18 I moved from Utah to New York to be a nanny.
16. I have extreme road rage, but only when in my car, not on the bike.
17. I teach Sunday School at my church.
18. I am a reality show addict.
19. When I was in third grade I told my best friend that I was adopted, she believed me until we were 13.
20. I really had wished at the time that it was true.
21. I trained for a marathon, but ended up not participating.
22. I always wished that I had blue eyes.
23. In high school I used to wear my pants so tight that I would have to lie down on the bed and use a hanger to zip them up.
24. My hair was so big in 9th grade that it didn't fit in my school picture.
25. I love Shirley Temple, the person, not the drink.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Where does the time go?
To say that I've been busy the last few weeks would be a lie, preoccupied would be a better word for it. My job was getting completely unbearable, when you come home from work everyday crying, you know it's time for a change. So I quit my job. I had a couple of things loosely lined up, both of which fell through. So the last few weeks I've been enjoying some time off and spending time with Riley before he went back to school. Now, it's time to really start looking for work. This is a horrible time to be looking for a job as I'm sure everyone knows, but I've always managed to make it work, so I'm hopeful that something will come through. I saw a sign at McDonald's, they're hiring, so if all else fails I'll just go sling some burgers for awhile, I'm not above all that.
I got out to ride a bit today, it felt so good, it's been a couple of weeks. I need to get out more, and that is going to be my priority, well, right under finding a job.
Some good news.....after reading Dean's post "Calling All Women Riders" I decided to check out the website that he provided for Diva Customs. Tami Walker, the owner of Diva Customs, is writing a book and looking for short paragraphs from women about why they ride. I decided to send her an email, it's hard to put into a paragraph the reasons why I decided to ride my own, but I did my best. After I sent the email I didn't expect much, as I was sure there would be more compelling stories than mine. The very next day I received an email from Tami. I was impressed that the email came so quickly, but mostly because it wasn't some generic email, it was a personal email with a nice experience from her own life that I could relate to. Tami said she will definitely use my story in her book, which she expects to be out in the spring. I'm very excited. I look forward to reading her book, not just because I'm going to be in it, but because I love hearing experiences from all riders, especially women. Also because, after finding out more about Tami and her business, I think she is a pretty amazing woman. She is a woman who definitely went after what she believed in, and she's making it work. We can all learn lessons from people like her.
I hope all of you are well, and I'm going to try now to go and get caught up on every one's blogs. I have been neglectful of my reading and feel like I'm out of the loop. I'm sure I have some good reading to look forward to so, until next time......
I got out to ride a bit today, it felt so good, it's been a couple of weeks. I need to get out more, and that is going to be my priority, well, right under finding a job.
Some good news.....after reading Dean's post "Calling All Women Riders" I decided to check out the website that he provided for Diva Customs. Tami Walker, the owner of Diva Customs, is writing a book and looking for short paragraphs from women about why they ride. I decided to send her an email, it's hard to put into a paragraph the reasons why I decided to ride my own, but I did my best. After I sent the email I didn't expect much, as I was sure there would be more compelling stories than mine. The very next day I received an email from Tami. I was impressed that the email came so quickly, but mostly because it wasn't some generic email, it was a personal email with a nice experience from her own life that I could relate to. Tami said she will definitely use my story in her book, which she expects to be out in the spring. I'm very excited. I look forward to reading her book, not just because I'm going to be in it, but because I love hearing experiences from all riders, especially women. Also because, after finding out more about Tami and her business, I think she is a pretty amazing woman. She is a woman who definitely went after what she believed in, and she's making it work. We can all learn lessons from people like her.
I hope all of you are well, and I'm going to try now to go and get caught up on every one's blogs. I have been neglectful of my reading and feel like I'm out of the loop. I'm sure I have some good reading to look forward to so, until next time......
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